DIGHTON — Bristol County Agricultural High School produced a fresh crop of graduates who received their diplomas during commencement ceremonies on Thursday night.

Speakers at the graduation told the 108 members of the Class of 2014 to use the skills and knowledge they learned through hard work at Bristol Aggie, as it’s called, to overcome the next challenges they face in life.

“Folks, you know you can do this,” Superintendent Stephen Dempsey said. “Four years ago, you took the road less traveled and took the risk of leaving your hometown schools to follow your hearts and pursue your dreams. … I extend my sincerest admiration for that and my congrats for the achievement.”

Because Bristol Aggie celebrated its 100th anniversary two years ago, and the last graduating class of the first 100 years graduated last spring, Dempsey called the 2014 class the first graduates from the school’s next 100 years.

“Now you’re an integral part of Bristol County Agricultural High School history and forever part of the Bristol Aggie family,” Dempsey said.

Brendan Ferreira, a graduate from the Class of 2005 who lost his lower left arm in a suicide bombing while serving in Afghanistan, was the guest speaker at the graduation ceremony. Ferreira said that he sees firsthand how the graduates have gained the ability to overcome, to improve and achieve when he returns for the annual fall show at the school.

Ferreira said that Bristol Aggie graduates get a leg up on the competition when it comes to entering the real world, taking on responsibilities and tackling difficult tasks in their respective focus areas, like botany, animal science and landscaping.

“They (students from other schools) didn’t have to rush really quick to get stuff ready for a landscaping plot, or do emergency surgery on an animal or rush around to get a floral arrangement ready for a funeral or wedding,” Ferreira said. “You got together, and you knocked it out and did the best you could. ... Take that with you. Don’t be afraid of challenges. … There are going to be some big bumps and bruises along the way. Hopefully not as bad as mine, but there will be some. And you are going to get through it. I promise. If I can get through this, you guys can get through whatever you are going through.”

Valedictorian Hannah Rogers encouraged her fellow graduates to make the difficult efforts that are needed to succeed in life.

“It is OK to dream and to dream big, but you must realize the hard work needed for all of your ambitions to be accomplished,” said Rogers, of Dighton. “Along the way it is OK not to be the best, as long as you are continually striving to reach your full potential. The journey is many times more important, or at least just as important, as the destination.”

Page 2 of 2 - Rogers also discussed unexpected obstacles that may come in the path of her fellow graduates. Rogers told the audience that she planned to play college sports this fall, but during the last basketball game of the high school season, she suffered a serious knee injury that delayed her ability to play for up to a year.

“Throughout my journey of surgery and physical therapy, which is by no means over, I have learned the importance of staying positive,” Rogers said. “Take life’s challenges and conquer them. … Even though we don’t have full control of our environment, we always have control over our attitude and the effort we put forth. … The persons we were four years ago may not be the same persons we are today. Hopefully we have grown and matured, and learned to see the importance of always doing our very best, no matter the circumstance.”

Principal Aaron Polansky made a speech comparing the graduates to caterpillars that transformed into butterflies, using an extended metaphor about their development at Bristol Aggie.

“You deserve what you’ve earned,” Polansky said. “You are butterflies and you are our butterflies. … You should remember what you learn in your life as late-stage caterpillars. … You are part of a family, part of an institution dedicated to teaching the mind and, more importantly, the heart. … And one day you will soar. Class of 2014, spread your wings and fly.”

The school also honored several students with scholarships, including one dedicated in memorial to former Superintendent Krista Paynton, who died in May 2013. Paynton was the first woman to become the principal of the school in 2005 and then the first female superintendent three years after that.

“She took a professional knowledge and paid it forward,” Dempsey said.